What This Teacher is Accused of Doing to an Autistic Boy

I think we all need to understand how to teach children with autism more effectively, but few of us would ever pull a stunt as difficult to defend as this teacher is alleged to have done. I hear she has a reputation of being an excellent teacher, but I’m sure this would not go down as a career highlight:

A Cobb County, Ga., special education teacher was charged with cruelty to children after allegedly putting a student with autism in a trash can and comparing him to Oscar the Grouch.

Police say the incident happened during the after-school program. The boy came inside upset about another student bothering him. He was reportedly screaming and would not calm now.

According to the warrant, that’s when Pursley talked with the victim about Oscar the Grouch and his “trashy behavior” and told him, “If he has trashy behavior like Oscar, he’d go in the trash can.”

After hanging him upside down inside the trash can, Purley allegedly asked, “Are you going to stop yelling now?” The boy was crying, yelling, and screaming “stop.”

The unnamed employee stepped in to confront Pursley and immediately notified administrators and police.

Pursley was removed from her teaching position, and a warrant was issued for Cruelty to Children in the first degree.

The Cobb County school system released a statement in reaction to the arrest:

“The District is aware of a teacher charged by police with Cruelty to Child. It is a personnel matter under investigation and no comment can be given. Safety and security of Cobb students continues to be our number one priority. Our attention is on making every remaining day of school for our students safe, healthy, engaging, meaningful and focused on academic excellence.”

A district spokesman did confirm Pursley is currently a special education teacher at Mt. Bethel Elementary School. She’s been with the district for 21 years. Right now, she’s on paid administrative leave during the investigation.

The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office confirms she was released Tuesday on a $5,000 bond.